Middle English Dictionary Entry

ispēken v.
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Entry Info

Forms ispēken v. Also (early) ȝespeken, ispæcken. Forms: p. (early) ispac; pl. (early) ispēken, ispecken, ?ispẹ̄ken; ppl. ispōke(n & (chiefly early) ispēke, (early) ispēken, ispæken, ȝespēken, gespecan.
Etymology LOE gespecan, p. gespæc, ppl. gespecen, vars. of OE gesprecan p. gespræc, pl. gesprǣcon, -sprēcon, ppl. gesprecen. The p.ppl. ispōke(n (by analogy with bōren, brōken, etc.) begins to replace ispēke(n early in the 14th century, displacing the older ppl. completely in the 15th century.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. speken v.
1a.
To make or deliver a speech, speak, ~ of, speak about (sb. or sth.).
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1b.
(a) To carry on a conversation, converse; (b) to express (oneself) in conversation.
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1c.
To say (sth.) in spoken words, utter (a word, speech, etc.), express (righteousness).
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2.
(a) To come to a spoken agreement, agree; (b) to agree upon (a stratagem, policy, etc.).
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3.
(a) To make a declaration in written words; ~ umbe, ~ of, write about (sb. or sth.); (b) to mention or declare (sth.) in writing; (c) wel ispoken, of a book: well-expressed.
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